Saturday, December 22, 2012

The names by which we
know birds in English have not always been set in stone, having
changed and evolved with many regional variations. This is still
happening with the official names of species in field guides trying
to reach international consistency to avoid confusion. Sometimes
this replaces a taxonomically inaccurate but descriptive name with
something altogether less poetic. A good example of this is the
renaming of the Fan-tailed Warbler as the Zitting Cisticola, a name
that doesn’t exactly fire the imagination. Other names have been
changed because they reflect the appearance of the species at the
time of the year it is most often seen in Britain. The Grey Phalarope
(a good descriptive name for the winter plumaged birds we see here)
is now known as the Red Phalarope which is a more accurate
description of the species in its northern breeding grounds.

One of the British Birds oils by Charles Collins (1736)

Before the
standardising of scientific nomenclature and greater understanding of
the genetic groupings of species classification was largely based on
physical appearance, behaviour and habitat. As an example, reed
buntings and sedge warblers, both small, brown and streaked
passerines were referred to as reed sparrows. These, and a selection
of some other obsolete but intriguing names were found on the backs
of a series of oil paintings hanging in the Panelled Lobby at the
National Trust's Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire. Painted by
Charles Collins (1680 – 1744) in 1736 these oils are a valuable
early source of English names, some of which are found in other
sources and some that may have been regional to Collins's native
Ireland or even falling out of use at the time.

Below is a selection of
some interesting examples of old, local and obscure avian
nomenclature including the most unusual from the Collins oils
(denoted with CC 1736).

Weasel Coot

Of
unknown origin, this is a rather bizarre East Anglian name for
redhead Smew.

Susie

(female
Mallard) This is a term used mostly by wildfowlers.

Hanser

East
Anglian for Heron. This is a regional variant of a name that was
probably fairly widespread across England. It features in one odd
form in Shakespeare's Hamlet in the line “I am but mad
north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a
handsaw.” I still come across some old Norfolk boys and gels who
use this name.

Wind Hover

(Kestrel)
This is a fine example of a behavioural name.

Lapwing at Cley (Phil Farndon)

Hornpie, Green
Plover, Peewit

The
Lapwing is a bird has an impressive collection of names, and it is
easy to understand why this distinctive and beautiful plover has
caught the imagination of people over the centuries. Hornpie is the
Norfolk dialect name.

Seapie

(Oystercatcher)
Derived from the same root as the Hornpie, with the 'pie' referring
to the black and white appearance of the bird.

Drain Swallow,
Whistling Snipe, Tree Sandpiper

(Green
Sandpiper) All three of these now obscure names are far more
descriptive of the bird than the now standard name.

Barn Owl at Wiveton (Phil Farndon)

Billy Wise

(Barn
Owl) A rather charming example of proper Norfolk.

Bank Martin (CC
1736)

(Sand
martin)

Ox-eyed Titmouse (CC
1736)

(Great
Tit) The family of birds we now know as tits were until relatively
recently called titmice.

Colemouse (CC
1736)

(Coaltit)

Bum Barrel

(Long-tailed
Tit) Another Norfolk name.

Mavis (CC
1736)

(Song
Thrush) Another once common name.

Storm Cock

(Mistle
Thrush) Anyone who has heard a mistle thrush in full song at the
very top of a tall tree in rough winds before a storm will understand
just how apt this name is.

Titlark (CC
1736)

(Meadow
pipit) A fine example of describing a bird in terms of two more
familiar species.

Stonechat at Cley (Phil Farndon)

Stone Cutter (CC
1736)

(Stonechat)

Beam Bird (CC
1736)

(Spotted
Flycatcher) There is no obvious derivation for this. My own theory
is that this species may have been in the habit of using the beams of
animal shed and barns as a perch when catching insects.

Small Reed Sparrow
(CC 1736)

(Sedge
Warbler)

Grasshopper Lark (CC
1736)

(Grasshopper
Warbler)

Golden Crowned Wren (CC 1736)

(Goldcrest)

Butcher Bird (CC
1736)

(Great
Grey Shrike) This name is derived from the habit shrikes have of
impaling there prey on thorns, as a butcher would hang meat.

Aberdevine (CC
1736)

(Siskin)
Of unknown origin, but used for this species mostly when kept as a
cage bird.

Pink or Spink

(Chaffinch)
Variations on this onomatopoeic name are found across the country.
Spink is the East Anglian variant and Pink is used in the Midlands.

Monday, December 3, 2012

This is one of the
legendary birdwatching locations in Britain, with a diversity of
habitats and being uniquely placed projecting east into the North Sea,
Norfolk catches some of the most exciting and inspiring birds the UK
has to offer. From the sweeping mud flats and sand dunes of the west
via the salt and fresh marshes and fragile cliffs, to the grazing
marshes and shallow lakes of the broads in the east. This is one of
the best locations in the country to see the most spectacular winter
wildlife sights, all within easy reach.

The
arrival of tens of thousands of these vocal Arctic geese is the most
awe-inspiring spectacle. Spending their days feeding on farmland
around the county, in the evening long, straggling skeins of a few
hundred at a time will make their way back to the coast and the safety of mud
flats and marshes to roost. The best time and place to see the
impressive scale of this migration is at dawn after a dark, moonless
night at Snettisham on the west-facing end of the coast.

These
are another specialist of the mud. Thousands of these dumpy waders will gather to feed on
the foreshore, continually rearranging themselves as the tide
retreats and returns. Their name is said to derive from the story of
Cnut, the 11th
Century king of Denmark, England and later Norway showing to his
subjects that even he could not hold back the tide. Again the sheer
numbers make these birds a breathtaking sight as they wheel and turn
in unison.

Moving
east to the sand dunes of Thornham, Holkham and Wells and the shingle
ridge from Blakeney Point, Cley and Salthouse more Arctic breeders
can be found. In spite of their bright Naples yellow heads and
throats, Shore Larks are masters of camouflage and so are difficult to
find, especially on shingle, but are well worth the effort. Snow
Buntings are more gregarious and tightly bunched flocks of sixty or
more can be seen in their bouncing flight along the shingle ridge at Salthouse most
years. When on the ground they can be as hard to find as the Shore
Larks, apparently vanishing as they land on the stones. It often
happens that you will notice one and then realise that a dozen or so
more are also there feeding invisibly in full view around it.

Wildfowl

The
fresh marshes of Cley and Salthouse are a haven for wintering Wigeon,
Teal, Gadwall, Pintail and Brent Geese. The Norfolk Wildlife Trust
reserve at Cley Marshes is one of the best places to get up close to
these species and also get large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing
coming in to roost in the evening.

When
travelling around the coast and countryside always keep and eye open
for birds of prey hunting over fields, verges and reed beds. East
Anglia and Norfolk especially holds one of the densest populations of
Barn owls in the country. These elegant and silent hunters are
crepuscular (most active in the twilight of dawn and dusk) but will
frequently fly during the day and are captivating to watch quartering
a meadow in search of voles in low winter sunlight.

﻿﻿Short-eared
Owls are winter migrants that can in some years arrive in large
numbers. It is often worth scanning across heaths, reed beds and
marshes for these large, fierce-eyed birds. In the same habitats and
over farmland in the coastal hinterland look out for Hen and Marsh
Harriers spending the winter in Norfolk.

Bean Geese

One for the connoisseur, these geese are winter visitors in low numbers from northern Europe and Asia. There are two races of these grey geese, the Tundra and the Taiga, their names indicating their favoured breeding grounds. Superficially similar to Pink-footed Geese but with orange on the legs and bill they can be challenging to pick out and often are very mobile making an element of luck important in finding them. They are best observed on open fields and grazing marshes all along the coast and inland at sights around the Broads and East Norfolk rivers like Buckenham and Cantly.

As
well as the regular delights mentioned above there is always the
possibility of happening across a rarity or one of the scarcer
visitors to this county. In some years Lapland Buntings can be found
in coastal fields or mixed in with Snow Buntings, in the Broads small
parties of Cranes feed on the grazing land, and in harsh northerly
winds high Arctic gulls come down the North Sea. Large numbers of Waxwings sometimes are driven south by hard winters in Scandiavia and come to feed on fruit and berries, often in gardens and carparks at the edge of towns. Norfolk
is also one of the best areas to see Rough-legged Buzzards around the coastal marshes and Broads.

The
great joy of birdwatching is the unexpected, and anywhere along the
coast you stand a good chance of turning up something out of the
ordinary. The best way to increase your chances is to tap into the
local knowledge and reports and ask the perennial question of birders
everywhere, “Much about?”.

Some
of the best sources of Norfolk wildlife information on the internet
are listed below.

Cley Spy.
The largest dedicated optics shop in the UK with 200 models of binoculars and over 50 models of telescope in stock plus a good range of second hand optics. We also stock tripods, bird food, straps, Tilley hats and Paramo and Jack Pyke outdoor clothing.

Monday, November 12, 2012

If looked after well
binoculars and telescopes can keep working for many decades, but
inappropriate cleaning can cause potentially expensive damage. We
have seen many badly scratched lenses and seized eyecups and focusing
wheels that could have been avoided by following a few simple rules
that will keep your kit in tip top condition.

Keep it clean.

Sand, fingerprints and dust. Time for a clean.

This may sound obvious,
but if you want to avoid the risk of damage then not cleaning too
frequently is best. Optics that are used in the field will get dirty
eventually but using rainguards and lens caps will help keep the muck
out for longer.

Try not to clean
when out in the field.

This is usually when
damage is done. It is not always convenient to carry a full cleaning
kit in the field and the temptation to quickly remove a speck or
smear with a cloth or the hem of your shirt/scarf/skirt/pants can be
great, but resist!

Clean at room
temperature.

If
you try to clean when the lenses are too cold it is very hard to
successfully remove any greasy marks and you tend to just spread the
muck around.
﻿﻿﻿

All you need to keep clean.

Use the right tools
for the job.

What you need is:

An air blower

A soft brush

A clean lens cloth

Lens cleaning fluid

Step 1:

Don't touch the lenses
yet! The first thing to do is remove any loose dust, sand or grit
without risking getting it embedded in the lens cloth or scratching
the lens coatings. The best way to do this is using a rubber bulb
type air blower with the lens facing downwards to allow any grit to
fall out. After you have done this use a soft brush to flick out any
bits that the blower didn't shift.

Step 2:

And
breathe... A quick huff or two on the lens for a coating of moisture
works a treat, then using a lens cloth to wipe round. Don't push too hard
with the cloth and fold it so that you have two or three layers under
your finger. If there is a single spot or fingerprint on the lens
then try to remove this without spreading it all over the lens.

Step 3:

Still
not clean? If there is still smearing on the lens then a little
cleaning fluid should sort it out, but don't spray it on to the lens
because it will be very difficult to remove it all and with some
older bin it can seep inside. Spray onto the lens cloth and
carefully apply it to the greasy area only, then another breath on
the lens and wipe with a bit of cloth without cleaning fluid on.

Salt.

Salt under the microscope. The hard, sharp-edged crystals
can easily scratch lens coatings

When
you are out by the coast in rough conditions everything will get
covered in spray and when this dries hard crystals form which can
scratch the lens coatings. To avoid this the crystals must be
dissolved before cleaning. Start the cleaning with step 1 then
proceed as follows. If there is only a light covering of spray then
the condensation from warm breath is often enough but if the lenses
are well encrusted then it becomes a little more tricky. With fully
waterproofed optics you can use a shallow bowl of warm water to just
dip the lens surface into for long enough to let the crystals
dissolve. With non-waterproofed optics the risk of getting moisture
inside is too great for this to be recommended, so breathing on the
lenses when they are cooler will have to suffice and is often enough.
After this then follow step 2 again.

Sand.

It
gets everywhere. This is the worst enemy
don't miss out on seeing something because you are trying to keep
your bing it around it will
find its way into eye cups, focusing wheels and hinges. While there
is not a lot you can do about this keeping your rainguard on as much
as possible will help and if you have twist-up style eye cups turn
them down to keep sand out of the mechanism. When you get home
follow step 1 to remove as much as possible without touching the
lenses.

DEET.

Many
insect repellents contain the chemical N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide
(C12H17NO)
commonly known as DEET. This is a volatile chemical that is very
good at keeping the mozzies away but also attacks rubber armouring
and some plastics on binoculars and scopes. While there are some
places where the insects are so numerous and determined that DEET is
the only option, it is best kept away for you optics or the rubber
may begin to peel, bubble and crack with repeated contact.

Birdwatching optics are
designed to be used outdoors and sometimes they will get dirty, so
don't miss out on seeing something because you are trying to keep
your binoculars clean, but a little care goes a long way. Some
hardened twitchers regard filthy kit as a way of showing you are a
serious birder but this is no excuse for mistreating your gear and
there is a difference between well used and abused. If you look
after your optics they can last a lifetime.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

'Tis the season of
mists and mellow fruitfulness, northern migrants and rare vagrants,
and preparing for the winter.

The cut hay ready for raking up.

Over the last few weeks
we have been busy doing some much needed maintenance on the Bayfield
Wildlife Walk and our own wildlife field behind the Glandford shop.
Now that the wild flowers have set seed and the majority of the
grasshoppers and other insects have reached the end of this years
life cycle it was time to cut the meadow. The plan is to keep the
filed as mostly open grass and flower meadow with bramble and
hawthorn scrub patches at the top end and cover around the edges.
Cutting the grass once a year not only stops scrub and eventually
trees taking over but also removing the cuttings gradually reduces
the nutrient in the soil, creating conditions that deter thistles,
nettles and rank grasses dominating and favours a more diverse grass
and flower mix. An added bonus is the heap of cuttings provides a
warm refuge for grass snakes and as it decays a rich source worms and
insects for the birds and small mammals. The small size of the area
(half an acre) means that an appropriate level of grazing would be
difficult to achieve, and whilst we try and keep the use of machinery
to a minimum a petrol brush cutter was the best option for managing
this field. Decked out in the appropriate safety gear and with a
period of cool overcast weather the task was complete two days and
five litres of fuel later. With smell of new mown hey in our
nostrils and a sense of satisfaction at a job well done we then
turned our attention to revamping the Bayfield Wildlife Walk.

The first of the new
way markers

The way markers had for
a long time been an incomplete rag-tag collection of yellow arrows
tied and nailed to trees, fences and posts often concealed by
vegetation. We replaced these with treated round posts with sloped
tops onto which we nailed yellow plastic arrows (recycled from old
margarine tubs!). The idea is that now there are consistent and
easily spotted markers at all the points where there is a opportunity
to take the wrong path. These are complemented by a new information
sign at the start of the walk next to our shop showing a map and some
things to look out for around the walk.

This is one of my
favourite times of the year to be working outdoors, with the cool air
filled with the rich and musky scents of the soils and woodland,
wildlife in abundance and the satisfaction to be had from preparing
for the winter and new year ahead.

One of the Ring Ouzels in our field at Glandford

Over the last few weeks
northerly air movements and low cloud brought in unprecedented
numbers of migrant thrushes and chats to Norfolk. The best rarity of
this fall was a very confiding red-flanked bluetail atStiffkey, but
the most impressive spectacle was the shear numbers of thrushes and
especially ring ouzels. During the few days of fog almost anywhere
you went along the coast the hedges, bushes and fields held dozens of
these robust and wary 'mountain blackbirds' in amongst the flocks of
redwings, fieldfares and blackbirds. Taking advantage of the newly
cut field we even had two ring ouzels stop at Glandford and at least
two black redstarts outside both shops.

For more information on
the Bayfield Wildlife Walk and a printable map download please go to
the Cley Spy website.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

The quality of cameras
built into mobile and smart phones has reached a point where they
have the performance of many pocket sized compact cameras. This has
revived interest in digiscoping with phone cameras and the appeal is
clear, having one lightweight piece of equipment that performs the
roles of communication and photography. Add to this the
possibilities offered by smart phones of uploading photos to the
internet and emailing them out in the field and even live streaming
video and there is great potential for this type of photography.
Just like digiscoping with a conventional camera the results are
greatly improved with an adapter that can hold the phone securely in
the correct alignment. A feature of the iphone
that makes it especially suitable for digiscoping is the ability to
use the volume control on the headphone wire as a remote shutter
release.
Two optics companies have brought out
adapters for the iphone 4 and 4s and below are our findings from
testing them.

The Kowa TSN-IP4S
adapter is made of tough rubberised plastic and clips on to the phone
in the same way that many cases for smart phones do and has a lug for
a lanyard which is provided. The mount that fits on the scope
eyepiece is made of anodised aluminium and there are two sizes of
felt-lined tube, one to fit binoculars and one to fit the eyepieces
of the TSN-880/770 series scopes. The one for the scopes also fits
onto Swarovski and Zeiss zoom eyepieces and with the felt removed
fits (albeit slightly loosely) the latest Leica Televid 65/82
eyepiece. The binocular tube fits in addition

Kowa's own binoculars
and the following models form other manufactures.

The Meopta Meopix
adapter is a slightly lighter weight option made from plastic with a
built-in tube for mounting onto the eyepiece.

Two versions are
available for Meopta's own optics, one with a 41.8mm tube for the
Meopta Meostar B1 and B1 HD binoculars, and one with a 48.5mm tube
for the Meostar S2 spotting scope. The larger of the two also fits
the Viking AW 65 and 80mm scopes and the smaller also fits Minox BL
8x42 and 10x42, Opticron's BGA 8x42 and 10x42 and the DBA 8x42 and
10x42. They have also now produced versions sized to fit Swarovski's
25-50x and 20-60x zooms and one for Zeiss scopes.

Digiscoping with phones
is likely to become a lot more popular in the near future and it is
good to see that there are already well made and capable adapters out
there.

Monday, October 1, 2012

In the days before
usable zoom eyepieces if you wanted to change the magnification of
your scope you had to change the eyepiece, with most manufacturers
typically offering a 20x, a 30x and a 40x. The early zooms were not
very user-friendly items, having very narrow fields of view and
lacking sharpness at anything much over minimum magnification.
Things were much improved with the first zooms from Swarovski and
Leica in the 1990s, but these were still a compromise in terms of
field of view over a fixed lenses. In the late 2000s wide-angle
zooms came on the market and delivered a viewing angle comparable
with fixed eyepieces but also giving the valuable flexibility of a
zoom, essentially the best of both worlds. Swarovski's 25-50x
wide-angle zoom is a fine example of this, and now Swarovski only
produce this and the older, but still outstanding, 20-60x zoom,
having discontinued their fixed 20x, 30x and 45x earlier this year.

With the need for
multiple eyepieces removed, their latest scopes have taken a
different approach in having interchangeable objective lens modules
that attach to the front of a combined eyepiece and prism module with
a built-in zoom.

The new ATX 65mm and
85mm objective modules are similar to previous ATM 65mm and 80mm in
that they have the same focal length and so the zoom has a range of
25-60x, regaining that extra 10x magnification at the top end missed
by some ATM users with the 25-50x. The real feature that sets these
new scopes apart from the competition is the addition of a 95mm
version which has a longer focal length making it an outstanding and
improbable-sounding 30-70x wide-angle zoom. There is a price to pay
with the weight of this 95mm piece of glass compared to the other two
models, but in spite of this huge lens it is only about the same
weight as the old Leica 77mm Televid and is 200 grams lighter than
the Nikon EDG 85.

Bright and colourful

The three top European
birding optics firms (Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski) all take a slightly
different approach to colour rendition, each favoured or criticised
by different people. The previous generation of Swarovskis were
sometimes said to have a slight cold blueish colour bias, where as
Zeiss scopes to some eyes seem to have a warm yellow bias. The new
Swarovskis (like the current Leicas) have a very pleasingly neutral image with no hint of a
preference in in any direction which is relaxing on the eye and
removes any doubt about weather you are seeing a true representation.

The light transmission
is class-leading. Not a lot more that can be said about that really,
it simply is. All the modules are as bright as you could wish for
their size. Well done the Austrians.

The big selling point
with these modular scopes from Swarovski's point of view is the
ability to have two or all three objective modules and switch between
them depending on what location or light conditions you are birding
in. The lightweight 65mm module for travel and trekking, the 85mm
for general use and the awe-inspiring 95mm for the ultimate light
gathering and magnification. For me however the best feature on this
scope is the zoom and focus rings being side-by-side. This is not a
first in scope design, the well built but optically questionable
Bushnell Discoverer had this feature, as does the Zeiss Photoscope,
but everything seems to have come together with these practical and
flexible scopes.

Throwing light on
the dark art of digiscoping.

The new DCB II digiscoping adapter

As
well as completely redesigning the scope from the ground up there is
a new simplified range of camera adapters for compacts and SLRs. The
new adapters work just as well with the “old” ATM/STM and the
reincarnated ATS/STS scopes. There are two adapters, one for compact
cameras and one for DSLRs. The compact adapter is an improved design
of the DCB swing-over bracket, allowing users to quickly switch
between viewing a taking pictures. The new APO DSLR adapter is the
most user-friendly adapter of this type I've ever seen, allowing a
DSLR or mirrorless system camera to be simply pushed over the
eyepiece of the scopes without having to mess about with taking the
eyepiece out.

Below is a video from Swarovski showing how the new DSLR APO adapter works.

Swarovski ATS

Back from the
beyond.

As
well as the addition of the new modular scopes the previous range has
been brought back with a aluminium rather than magnesium body and a
lower price tag. This is essentially the same ATS/STS HD scope as
the one launched in 2002 with the addition of the modern “Swaroclean”
water and grease repellent lens coating.

The ultimate
all-rounder?

The Glandford shop's view

All
of the features of the new ATX/STX scopes mentioned above combined
with Swarovski's legendary after-sales service has really raised the
bar as far as scope design goes, and the real surprise is that they
have improved on the outstanding image quality of the previous
generation. Swarovski haven't rendered their competition obsolete
over night, as we know very well there is no one telescope or
binocular that works for everyone, and so the offering from Leica,
Zeiss, Kowa and others at the top of the range still offer a real and
comparable alternative. What they have done is bring out a range of
scopes that is not simply a repackaging of existing technology but a
shining example genuine innovation.

Come
and field test them for yourself at our Glandford shop over the
excellent farmland views.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

One of the services we
offer here at Cley Spy is repairs and servicing of binoculars,
telescopes and tripods. We have two in-house engineers who can carry
out repairs to most equipment that is no longer covered by warranties
and we can arrange repairs of items that need to be returned to the
manufacturer. Some of the most common types of repairs we encounter
are listed below.

Over 50 years of experiance. Our Head Engineer Maurice
realigning binoculars

Realignment of
binoculars. The most common
problem with binoculars is double vision often caused by the prisms
getting jolted out of position. This can usually be fixed in both
Porro prism and roof prism binoculars by adjusting the prisms or
objective lenses with the binoculars on our collimator bench.

Internal cleaning
and servicing of binoculars.
Many older non-waterproofed Porro prism binoculars get a build up of
dust, water marks and even fungus on lens and prism surfaces.
Removing this contamination requires completely dismantling the
binoculars and so we also service all moving parts while we are at
it. This can also be done with some older telescopes.

The internal parts of a Wray 9x40 binocular

Replacing and
repairing twist-up eyecups. Being
a vulnerable part of binoculars and telescopes these often get
damaged. Many current models can have replacement eyecups fitted
without having to send them away to the manufacturer.

Tripod repairs.
We can perform surgery on most tripods and monopods and if parts are
required we carry stock of the most commonly needed bits. We also
have a tripod graveyard which is a source of spears for older models
that new parts are no longer available for.

If
you have any enquiries about repairs and servicing please visit us at
our Glandford shop or contact us via phone on 01263 740088 or through
our website.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Binoculars and
telescopes are not just used for birdwatching and one of the most
common applications is for insects, especially butterflies,
dragonflies and damselflies. A good pair of close-focusing
binoculars and a telescope really enhance observing some of the less
approachable species and where you can't get close to them, for
example, dragonflies settled on the other side of a stream or pond.
Generally the best close-focus is achieved by 8x32 binoculars and
65mm or 50mm telescopes, but the exceptions to this rule are the
Pentax Papilio 6.5x21 and 8.5x21 which both focus down to 50cm
(20'').

Dragonflies,
damselflies, butterflies, moths and wildflowers are just as rewarding
to watch as birds, having endless diversity and the opportunity to
find rare, localised and vagrant species. The summer can be a quiet
period for birds in the UK, especially during calm sunny weather, but
is one of the best times to see insects and so many birders turn
their attention closer to the ground. An interest and appreciation
of many aspects of the natural world is the best way to ensure that
you have an enjoyable experience whatever the time of year.

Not only can you use
binoculas and scopes to observe, but it is also possible to digiscope the smaller wildlife. Yesterday I
took a Swarovski ATM 65 HD with zoom and UCA camera adapter and my little compact camera to the
edge of our pond and in about ten minutes had a few photos and videos
of some of the insect activity.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

New high-end binoculars
always cause a stir, especially when the manufacturer has set out to
create something ground-breaking. The much anticipated new Zeiss HT
Victory binoculars are just that, offering unparalleled brightness
and the first opportunity to test them out in the UK will be here at
Cley Spy's Glandford shop. We will also have the first demo of the
Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 which, if the 8x42 and 10x42 versions are
anything to go by, should be extremely impressive.

The Victory HTs promise unrivalled brightness, thanks to a light transmission of up to more than 95% - this unique result is created by the innovative optical concept of the VICTORY HT range. It is made possible by the perfect interplay of SCHOTT® HT glass, the Carl Zeiss T* multi-layer coating and the Abbe-König prism system.

You will be able to try
these for yourself using our excellent viewing facilities on Friday
the 20th of July from 10:30am to 4pm when Zeiss will bring
the first pairs in the country to Norfolk. We will also be taking
orders for the first available UK stock.
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The view from our Glandford Shop. Perfect for testing optics 'in the field'

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Eleven years ago Cley
Spy opened in the front of an old carrot washing barn in Glandford
near the North Norfolk coast, stocked with a handful of binoculars
and telescopes. Since then we have expanded to become the biggest
independent specialist optics shop in the country, with over 180
different models of binocular, over 40 telescopes and our second hand
stock all on shelf to be tried and tested. Over the years Cley Spy
has become the place to visit for specialist nature watching
equipment. We regularly get visitors from all over the country
because the range of stock, viewing facilities and expertise we can
offer are the best around.

The pond and wildflower meadow behind the Glandford shop

Testing Scopes 'in the field'

House Sparrows on the feeder

The team here are all
birdwatchers and optics users and so have been through the process of
choosing binoculars and scopes from the initially bewildering array
of models. Knowing what it's like to be on the other side of the
transaction, we give customers the time and space to try and test all
the equipment they want. If you are spending tens of pounds or
thousands of pounds on optical equipment you want to know you are
investing in the right product. You can only make a valid comparison
between two or more binoculars or telescopes if you have them side by
side and can repeatedly switch between them. Testing one model in
one place and another somewhere else, even if only an hour apart,
will not give you an accurate impression of their relative merits.
Here at Cley Spy we have the most diverse stock of binoculars and
telescopes anywhere in the country so you can test a range of
equipment within any budget at your leisure. We will always give
advice if needed and discuss the options and your requirements, but
ultimately it is what your eyes see that matters. Whilst any group
of binoculars or scopes of the same specification and around the same
price may be very similar in terms of optical quality, subtleties of
design, ergonomics, size and weight can make or brake the suitability
of a model.

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Just a few of the binoculars in stock

The imprsive view over one of Britain's
best bird reserves from our shop at
Cley Marshes

We have two shops, our
HQ at Glandford and a small shop in the old Visitors Centre at Cley
Marshes nature reserve. At Glandford in addition to the optics and
tripods we also have a range of Paramo and Jack Pyke outdoor
clothing, Tilley hats, bird food and feeders, books and toys. In
January 2012 we moved to a newly converted barn in the same yard at
Glandford that gave us much better viewing for testing optics and the
half-acre field which we are turning into a wildlife haven.

Monday, June 4, 2012

After the very wet bank
holiday Sunday the pond has been topped up to the brim and the sun
has come out. Three smooth newts a selection of diving beetles and
pond skaters have found the pond and are enjoying the weed and lilly
pads.

Corn Chamomile and Poppies

The field has come into bloom now and is sporting an impressive
diversity of species, from meadow grasses and delicate perennials, to
dry waste ground species and the rather unkindly termed “weeds
of cultivation”. The main attraction is the spectacle of the deep
red poppies growing through the sea of white corn chamomile between
the shop and the pond. At the top of the field a much more
heath-like environment has developed, with shorter, tougher grasses
and flower species associated with dry sandy places like, barren
strawberry and fiddleneck.